College football spring overreactions Georgia Arch Manning

Clemson’s offense is in trouble! Arch Manning is all hype! There’s no way Georgia can three-peat!

Not so fast.

Spring football is prime time for overreactions. So with spring games wrapped up and the latest transfer portal window closed, let’s go through some of the season’s hottest takes while also providing a reality check for each one.

Alabama will return to the College Football Playoff

Spectating hasn’t been part of “The Process” under Nick Saban at Alabama. But that’s what the Crimson Tide were last season come College Football Playoff time — spectators. They watched from home as Georgia captured its second straight national championship. Alabama has been to every playoff but two since the 2014 season, but it will be back on college football’s grand stage in 2023. Saban likes the makeup of his new-look coaching staff, and there’s an edge and physicality to this team that might have been lacking a year ago. There’s also plenty of motivation — or the “yummy” rat poison — as Saban calls it. Already, we’re starting to hear (yet again) that the window is closing on Alabama’s dynasty and that perhaps Saban’s best days are behind him. The last time we heard that, Alabama won two of the next three national titles and played in four straight national title games. There’s plenty of blossoming talent on this team, in receiver Malik Benson, defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis, offensive guard Tyler Booker, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, running back Jam Miller and safety Caleb Downs. Talent or depth won’t be a problem in 2023.

Reality check: Yes, there’s the obvious question about quarterback. It’s a fair one: If the Crimson Tide can’t win a national title with Bryce Young (they did win an SEC title), is it realistic to expect them to win with Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson, and now, last-minute Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner? How well Alabama is able to run the football this season will be a key, and look for the defense to be much more aggressive in forcing turnovers and negative plays. It also helps that just about all of Alabama’s toughest opponents (LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Texas) have to come to Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2023. So probably best not to sleep on the Tide.

— Chris Low

Colorado will compete in the Pac-12

The Deion Sanders experiment…